I'm Krista Tippett.

Today we seek fresh insight into the history and the human and religious dynamics of

Islam's Sunni Shia divide.

My guest, Vali Nasser, says that it is not so different from dynamics and periods of Western

Christian history.

But he says that by bringing the majority Shia to power in Iraq, the U.S. has changed

the religious dynamics of the Middle East.

Iraq provided a model for all of the Shia communities that a transfer of power, getting

more than what you have is actually possible.

Now I mean obviously things in Iraq haven't happened in a rosy fashion, but I still think

that Iraq is an extremely powerful example.

It's the first Shia state in the Middle East.

So there's no way that it would not have a sort of jolting impact on the region.

This is speaking of faith, stay with us.

This public radio podcast is supported by the Fetzer Institute as part of its campaign

for Love and Forgiveness online at loveandforgive.org.

I'm Krista Tippett.

The Sunni Shia divide remains a stumbling block to the creation of civil society in Iraq

and a responsible U.S. withdrawal.

This hour we revisit an illuminating conversation I had about that last fall with

political scientist Valinosser.

He's now become an influential voice in the formation of a new era of U.S. foreign

...